Tonight at Slowdown Jr. Brooklyn hard rock band The Giraffes headlines. Their sixth full-length, Usury, came out a couple weeks ago on Silver Sleeve. It’s a collection of strutting, guitar riff rockers that reminds me of ’90s grunge / alternative bands like Alice in Chains / Stone Temple Pilots. Omaha is one of only three dates they’re playing this year. Opening is Bullet Proof Hearts and DCYC. $14, 9 p.m.

Top of the list is the Holland Stages Festival at The Holland Performing Arts Center. The event is a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the renowned music hall and features free performances all day, including James Maakestad & Simon Joyner playing in the Con Agra East Lobby Stage (Isn’t that located in Chicago now?) at 6:30 p.m. and Both and See Through Dresses playing in the Scott Recital Hall at 7 p.m. It all leads up to Conor Oberst and friends (M. Ward and The Felice Brothers) playing a free show on the Holland Main stage.

Wristbands, which get you into the Oberst performance, will be handed out beginning at 3 p.m. at The Holland Center. It’s a first-come sort of deal, and all performances after 5 p.m. require a wristband for access. Once they run out of wristbands, they’ll be handing out a different wristbands that will allow you to watch a simulcast of the performance inside the building. The rules and the schedule are outlined here.

Not nearly as sophisticated as Holland Stages is Cassette Store Day, which will be happening at record stores throughout the Omaha metroplex on Saturday. Homer’s and Drastic Plastic are on the list of locals participating. So is Urban Outfitters, located in the Slowdown Complex, which will feature in-store performances beginning at 1 p.m., when they’ll also be handing out free beer and selling CSD “exclusives” including those rare La Luz, Brian Jonestone Massacre and Burger Records tapes.

What else…

Brilliant Beast is headlining at O’Leaver’s Saturday night. The Minneapolis band’s music has been compared to Ride and Yo La Tengo thanks to their very drone-y, chime-y sound, as you’ll see/hear if you click below. Joining them are Eklectica, The Cult of Lip and Devotional Being. That’s a lot of rock for $5. 9:30 p.m.